Thread: In or out?
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Old 03-Aug-2004, 03:02
moonwalker
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Default Re: In or out?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Casiopea
Quote:
Originally Posted by moonwalker
Thank you all for replying to my questions. :)

I have looked up the phrase in a dictionary.


fill in : phrasal verb
[transitive] to add information such as your name or address in the empty spaces on an official document: FILL OUT:
Please fill in your name and address in the space provided.
I spent over two hours filling in the application form.
Fill in the missing words.


fillout : phrasal verb
[transitive] to add information such as your name or address in the empty spaces on an official document: FILL IN:
It took a long time to fill out the application form.

Macmillan Publishers Ltd. 2002


I think both fill out a form" and "fill in a form" are right.


I believe the question above has two answers.


Have a nice day! :D
I agree with ggomad. :D In addition, Fill in means, to add X to Y, whereas fill out means, to complete Y by adding in X.

Fill in (the blanks) on the form; fill out (i.e. complete) the form.

EX: Please fill in your name and address in the space provided.
EX: I spent over two hours filling in the (blanks on the) application form.
EX: Fill in the missing words in the blanks.
EX: She is filling him in (i.e. Idiom: She's giving him information; she's adding in what he doesn't know).

EX: It took a long time to fill out (i.e. complete) the application form.
EX: She fills out a sweater well. (i.e. Idiom: She completes the sweater's shape)

All the best, :D



I know what your point is.

But take a look at the following citation.
=================================
fill sth in/out (WRITE) phrasal verb [M]
to write the necessary information on an official document:
to fill in a form/questionnaire

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
==================================

That is cited from Cambridge advanced learners' dictionary.

I know the expression " fill in the blanks."

But I think the phrasal verb "fill in" can have various objects,
as you can see, such as blanks, names and addresses, a form, etc.

If "fill in a form" is not acceptable or appropriate,
why the well-known English dictionary says it's ok.

It's weird.
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